Jura launches two Prestige expressions

Whyte & Mackay's whisky brand Jura has revealed the first development of its Prestige Range.

In March 2018, Jura unveiled a full rebrand and re-launch for the brand globally. Featuring a new house style, Whyte & Mackay revealed ten new whiskies available across two new permanent ranges for the domestic and travel retail markets, as well as anew bottle and carton design.  

Launching with the Rare Vintage Jura 1988; the first expression in the new range will be available in select domestic markets globally. Meanwhile in travel retail an aged Jura 28 Years Old will be available in limited quantities annually. 

The 30-years-old Jura 1988 malt whisky has been matured in small batch Bourbon barrels and finished in 20-Year-Old Tawny Port Pipes,.

The aged single malt has been cared for by three distillery managers, with a collective 90+ years’ service at Jura to date. Beginning its life in 1988 under the eye of then distillery manager, Willie Tait laid down the cask awaiting its future reveal. Watched over by Tait until 2005, when long term distillery worker turned distillery manager, Willie Cochrane, took over its safe-keeping. Following Cochrane, the cask was guarded by the now distillery manager, Graham Logan, who took to the helm in 2016.

Jura Rare Vintage 1988 is first matured in American White Oak small batch ex-Bourbon barrels. The spirit is then enhanced by maturation in 20-Years-Old Tawny Port Pipes, sourced from the Symington Family Estates. 

There are only 1406 bottles of this release (53.5% ABV – Cask Strength), which is natural colour and non-chill filtered. This is the first in a number of vintage releases from the brand. 

Jura 28 Year Old, a new permanent expression, will be available annually in limited quantities in global travel retail.

The single malt is matured in American White Oak, ex-Bourbon barrels. 

Bottled at 47% ABV, non-chill filtered and natural colour, this release is available as a travel retail exclusive with an RRP of £399. The bottle is packaged in a display case.

Gregg Glass, whisky maker and blender says: “As an island, Jura has been dedicated to producing the finest whiskies by generations past and present and we are in an exceptionally privileged position to have a range of rare and aged stocks. Both our new expressions are a fitting way to celebrate and share our island’s incredible heritage of whisky making with our growing, global community.”

Jura Rare Vintage 1988 is now available in select domestic markets globally, RRP £650.

Jura 28 Year Old will be available in duty free retailers globally from late December 2018, including select World Duty Free ‘World of Whiskies’ stores, RRP £399.

11 December 2018 - Sam Coyne The Drinks Report, editor